How to Deliver a Keyword/Competitor Research Report to a Client in Website Development

When a client comes to you with a product or service they already know, the next step is to perform keyword and competitor research to understand the market and improve the chances of success. This involves identifying your competition, their ranking keywords, and the buyer keywords you can target. Here is a detailed guide on how to deliver a comprehensive report to your client while ensuring that the expectations are managed appropriately.

1. Identify the Competition and Their Ranking Keywords

Once you have a clear understanding of the product or service, your first step is to identify the competition. Look for businesses that offer similar products or services. Once you identify your competitors, gather information about their websites, including the keywords they use, the pages they rank for, and their overall domain authority.

Crawl through their websites and use SEO tools like SEMrush, Ahrefs, or Moz to analyze their backlink profiles, domain authority, and page authority. Compile this information in a spreadsheet or a report to see where they outperform you and where there are opportunities for improvement.

2. Identify Buyer Keywords

Buyer keywords are the phrases that potential customers use to find the products or services your client offers. These keywords are crucial because they directly impact your visibility in search engine results pages (SERPs).

To identify these keywords, conduct keyword research using tools like Google Keyword Planner, Moz Keyword Explorer, or Ahrefs. Focus on long-tail keywords, which are less competitive but have lower traffic volumes and higher conversion rates. Additionally, consider the intent behind each keyword. Are users looking for information, solutions, or making a purchase?

Record your findings in a spreadsheet, categorizing the keywords by intent and potential competitiveness. This will help you prioritize the keywords and create more effective content strategies.

3. Get Client Feedback

A key part of the research process is getting feedback from your client. Share the compiled data with your client through a detailed report. Highlight the competition, ranking keywords, and buyer keywords in a way that is easy to understand. Explain the significance of each keyword and why it matters for their business.

Discuss the findings with your client in person or through a video call. Encourage open communication and ask for their thoughts and insights. This will help you ensure that the research aligns with their goals and expectations.

4. Expectation Management

One of the most important aspects of delivering a keyword and competitor research report is managing your client’s expectations. Clearly explain the limitations of the research, such as the fact that keyword rankings and competition can change over time. Set realistic goals for the project, and provide a timeline for achieving them.

Be transparent about any challenges that might arise during the development process, such as technical issues, competitor actions, or changes in the market landscape. Maintain a positive and professional attitude, and keep your client informed at every step of the process.

Conclusion

Delivering a keyword and competitor research report to a client in the early stages of website development is a critical step in ensuring the success of the project. By identifying the competition, researching buyer keywords, and managing expectations, you can provide valuable insights that will guide your client’s decision-making and help them achieve their goals.

Remember to maintain clear communication and be transparent throughout the process. By doing so, you can build trust with your client and ensure that the website development project runs smoothly.